KENOSHA, Wis. - The Illinois Wesleyan University football team defeated Carthage College on the road at Art Keller Field Saturday, Oct. 21, to pick up its second College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin win of the season. The Titans improve to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in the CCIW with the win, while the Firebirds fall to 1-6 (1-5 CCIW).

Freshman Dermot Smyth (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) turned in a career day, as the first-year quarterback completed 24-of-30 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Myles Kee (St. Louis, Mo.-Priory) was his top target, as he led the Titans with 11 catches for 139 yards and two TDs. Fifth year Kevin Graham (St. John's, Ind.-Shepard) was on the receiving end of Smyth's other touchdown tosses. Senior Seth Albin (Midlothian, Ill.-Oak Forest) paced the rushing attack with 79 yards on 15 carries. 

Overall the Titans finished with a season-high 448 yards of total offense with 292 coming in the passing game and 156 rushing yards. The Illinois Wesleyan defense limited Carthage to 269 yards of total offense, including negative two rushing yards. The Firebirds finished with 271 passing yards.

IWU's defense was led by senior Arthur Chatt's (La Grange, Ill.-Lyons Township) 12 tackles, including one TFL. Junior Jimmy Capecci (Springfield, Ill.-Sacred-Heart Griffin) tallied six stops and an interception, while junior Zach McNees was credited with two stops, one for loss, and five pass breakups. Senior Joel Baer (Eureka, Ill.-Eureka) notched IWU's lone sack of the day, a nine-yard quarterback takedown. Junior Frank Roti (Orland Hills, Ill.-Andrew) also swiped an interception to go along with three tackles.

Forced to punt after being unable to convert third and long, junior Matthew Noguez (Berwyn, Ill.-Morton) pinned the Firebirds inside their own 10-yard line. The defense took it from there, disrupting Carthage en route to a three-and-out that saw the Firebirds net negative yardage. 

Regaining possession at Carthage's 36-yard line, IWU needed just two plays to find the endzone. Smyth first connected with Graham for a 12-yard pickup, before tossing a 24-yard dime to Kee for the game's first touchdown. 

A bad snap backed the Firebirds up inside their own two-yard line, which quickly set up IWU in Carthage's territory. A highlight-reel catch from senior Matt Young (Bartlett, Ill.-Bartlett) down the sideline was good for an 18-yard gain, pushing the Titans into the red zone. Illinois Wesleyan overcame a pair of penalties to cash in for a 25-yard touchdown from Smyth to Kee, doubling its lead to 14-0, with 2:25 left in the opening quarter.

A blocked punt recovered by Carthage put the Firebirds in prime position to score, but the Titan defense held strong. Beginning its drive at the IWU 20, Carthage moved to the four-yard line on a 16-yard reception. A tackle by senior Joshua Klein (Glen Carbon, Ill.-Edwardsville) on a rush was followed by an incompletion, before Chatt took down the Firebird running back behind the line of scrimmage to force a field goal attempt. The 20-yard kick missed wide, keeping IWU's lead intact, 14-0.

Getting the ball back with 1:48 to go in the half, Illinois Wesleyan drove 80 yards in five plays to find the endzone for the third time. Kee and junior Tre Moore (Cool Valley, Mo.-Ritenour) hauled in catches of 19 and 12 yards, respectively, to get IWU near midfield. After another catch by Moore, this one for nine yards, Young grabbed a 30-yard reception to put the Titans on the Carthage 15 with 12 seconds to play. On the next snap, Smyth threw a pass to the corner of the endzone, where Graham made a great play to haul in the TD.

Carthage broke into the Illinois Wesleyan lead out of the half, using a 20-yard touchdown pass to avoid the shutout. The scoring play, which capped a 75-yard, seven-play drive, cut the Titan advantage to two scores, 21-7.

The Green and White responded with a 12-play, 85-yard drive of its own that spanned nearly six minutes. A 14-yard catch from Kee moved the chains as the Titans converted on second and short, before Smyth found Graham once again. The fifth-year tight end hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass to boost the Illinois Wesleyan lead to 20. 

Junior Jay Lemenager (Clifton, Ill.-Clifton) added a touchdown on a 19-yard scamper in the fourth to close out a 34-7 victory over the Firebirds.

Illinois Wesleyan returns home next weekend, Oct. 28, as host to Augustana College. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. inside Tucci Stadium.